Opportunity climbing steeper slopes to reach science targets

Opportunity is exploring ‘Marathon Valley’ on the rim of Endeavour crater. The rover is climbing up steep slopes to reach high-value science targets up on ‘Knudsen Ridge.’

Opportunity performed the first of two steep climbs on Sol 4269 (Jan. 26, 2016), with just less than 16 feet (5 meters) for progress on slopes nearing 30 degrees.

On the next sol, the rover ascended further up slope about 14 feet (4.4 meters) reaching tilts just under 30 degrees.

For the next fives sols Opportunity conducted extensive Navigation Camera (Navcam) and Panoramic Camera (Pancam) imaging surveys of the potential rock targets and ridge outcrop in front of the rover in preparation for extensive in-situ (contact) science campaigns on the geologic units high up on this ridge line.

As of Sol 4275 (Feb. 2, 2016), the solar array energy production was 498 watt-hours with an atmospheric opacity (Tau) of 0.459 and a solar array dust factor of 0.683.

Total odometry is 26.51 miles (42.66 kilometers), more than a marathon.